ANCYL takes a swipe at Pravin Gordhan

The ANC Youth League has added its voice to that of some senior ANC members who have lambasted Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan for allegedly using the media to seek sympathy.

This view is also supported by uMkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Association treasurer general Des Van Rooyen who recently accused Gordhan of undermining the Hawks and using the media to solicit sympathy.

“He must never be taken as a Jesus of note. We want to discourage him from seeking public sympathy by going and rushing straight to the media. He must go and account to those law enforcement agencies‚” said ANCYL deputy treasurer Thandi Moraka.

She was speaking at the ANC’s headquarters Luthuli House in Johannesburg on Sunday following the National Working Committee and subsequent National Executive Committee meeting which was held from September 22-24.

“We equally call on Pravin to not fall into the trap of wanting to be a Jesus Christ and claiming that in the entire movement he is the only one who wants to fight criminals‚” added Moraka.

During Gordhan’s term of office at SARS‚ a “rogue unit” was allegedly established in 2009 and the Hawks identified the minister and three other SARS officials as suspects in the investigation of the now defunct controversial unit.

The Hawks instructed the four to present themselves at its offices last month but the finance minister chose not to‚ stating that he was under no legal obligation to do so.

Moraka said those deployed to the National Treasury who were not doing what was expected in terms of the ruling party’s resolutions “must be removed and give those who will be patriotic for our call for our economic transformation“.

The ANCYL said it wanted the National Treasury to review its position of 30% procurement to 40% and above‚ in line with the Youth League’s congress resolution.